Guy Louis McCormack

Guy L. McCormack, beloved husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, friend and colleague, passed away on July 22, 2024.

The son of Raymond and Vivian McCormack, born in Poughkeepsie, NY, Jan 5,1944. Guy leaves behind his wife and life partner of 38 years, Norma McCormack, and two sons and spouse (Guyon of Los Angeles; Devin and spouse Claire of San Francisco). Guy was also a loving brother, to Alan McCormack of San Diego and sisters Eileen Martin-Luongo of Port St Lucie, FL, and Anna Kip of Poughkeepsie, NY. Siblings that preceded Guy in death, Mike, Brian and Maria McCormack. Guy will be deeply missed by his Brother/Sister-in-law Mark and Barbara Gleason-Tanaka, Marna Tanaka, Jin Tanaka, and his mother-in-law Betty Tanaka.

Guy was a loving, thoughtful, and kind person. His passing leaves a massive void in our lives. Guy enjoyed travel, visits to museums, family and friend gatherings, and walks on the beach with his wife along with his frisbee loving miniature Australian shepherd, Kaia. He loved the energy pulled from the ocean on his walks as it provided him the peace and tranquility that calmed and focused his active mind.

Guy served in Vietnam as a Seabee in the United States Navy in support of the Marines in Da Nang for 13 months. After receiving an honorable discharge, he resumed his college education by completing an associate degree in liberal arts, a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, a Master of Science degree from The Ohio State University. Guy completed his PhD in Human Science from Saybrook University in San Francisco which focused on holistic methods of health care. His doctoral dissertation involved conducting a statistically significant randomized control study for pain management in an acute care hospital post-surgical unit.

Professionally, Guy McCormack, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA was a Professor Emeritus at Samuel Merritt University. He taught and practiced as an occupational therapist and professor for over 47 years. He started his teaching career at the University of Florida in Gainesville on a grant project to develop community programs in rural areas. He was recruited to teach in the Occupational Therapy department at San Jose State University where he served for sixteen years and became a tenured full professor. He was the founding program director for the Occupational Therapy program at Samuel Merritt University, in Oakland, California. He also served as the program director of the Occupational Therapy Program at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri where he converted the curriculum from a bachelor's degree to a master's degree program. Guy returned to Samuel Merritt University as a teaching professor and researcher to assist with the development of the occupational therapy doctoral degree program. Guy was also instrumental in and served as chair to develop the entry level doctoral program at the University of the Pacific in Sacramento Ca.

Guy was inducted in the American Occupational Therapy Roster of Fellows for "Scholarly Excellence in the Mindbody Therapeutic Approach." He received The Lifetime Achievement Award from the Occupational Therapy Association of California, Congressional Recognition for Service to the Community by Congresswomen Barbara Lee, California Assembly Resolution for Professional and Educational Leadership- from Robert Bonta, In addition, the Award of Recognition for Achieving Occupational Therapy Licensure in California (SB1046), the Outstanding Service Award, Occupational Therapy Association of California, the Strommen-Dillashaw Award for "Exemplary Commitment to the University and Teaching", and the Award of Merit from the Santa Clara Chapter of Occupational Therapy and the Meritorious Performance Award-San Jose State University.

Guy officially retired from academia in 2021 and resumed his quest to become and artist and develop his skills as a painter. In the last three years, Guy was an active member of four different Art associations on the Monterey Peninsula, he showed his work at the Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation and other local venues. His work was featured in the Art display at the Monterey Airport and the Open Journal of Occupational Therapy. One of his landscape paintings may become a permanent fixture in Supervisor Mary Adam's office in the District 5 Monterey County Office. He produced more than 200 paintings applying many different styles and techniques. He painted with acrylics to capture his thoughts. He was driven by the emotional excitement of becoming an accomplished artist and the exhilarating feelings when he created new works of art. Philosophically, as an Occupational Therapist his paintings were a tribute to the therapeutic value of art and the greater good that came out of creativity.

Guy's legacy of dedication, love, integrity and wisdom will forever resonate in the hearts of those that knew him.

Honoring Guy's wishes a private service will be held at the VA Cemetery in Seaside Ca. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory or honor to the California Foundation of Occupational Therapy (https://betterunite.com/cfot-alwayson) for the many years he committed to research and the profession of Occupational Therapy or alternately, to the Monterey Peninsula Art Foundation, 425 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 94940, in supporting the youth and community passionate of art.